Very interesting (sometimes conflicting )views on this thread. I agree the postcode lottery for prescription charges makes a mockery of a United Kingdom.
Having lived in France for the last 7 years I am out of the mindset that a public health service can provide 100% state of the art , immediate medical cover without everyone paying more in taxes. Here we have to "top up" the state cover according to our ability and choice of services (low paid/ benefit receivers/ life-threatening / chronic conditions are covered 100%), but we receive EXCELLENT medical care. Same or next day GP appointments, specialist referrals in days or couple of weeks even for non-urgent conditions and operations within weeks. i.e. on a par with private treatment in the UK
This comes at a cost to the individual but in this day and age , unless people pay more throughout their working lives or enter a part private scheme, I cannot see how the NHS can deliver the high-tech service we all have come to expect.
On inception after the 2nd world war the NHS was never designed to encompass the sorts of conditions now supported: expensive drug treatments,(so few drugs were available then) IVF, transplant surgery, very premature baby care, intensive care units , ancillary services for mental health , care of the elderly, counselling etc - all of which are now available and necessary in our present society. I feel that our present expectations now outstrip what is possible on the present funding.
Either governments of any persuasion have to address the fact that the NHS is no longer fit for purpose and either provide far greater funding or totally redesign the system to include some additional input from individuals according to ability.
However, having read how many areas of the NHS have already been sold off to private companies, (several American) I fear that , after the UK leaves Europe America will swoop in and clean up the more profitable areas and things may become even worse.
